Valentino Rossi admits Marc Marquez has 2016 MotoGP title in sight
Valentino Rossi believes he now cannot beat Marc Marquez to the 2016 MotoGP championship, though his Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo still holds hope
Marquez has led the championship since Barcelona in June and increased his lead again at Brno on Sunday even though he finished third, one place behind Rossi.
The Spaniard - who is targeting at least two more race wins this year - is now a season-high 53-points clear of Rossi with seven races to go, Rossi having moved ahead of Lorenzo, who was a lapped 17th after tyre issues in the Czech Grand Prix.
LEADING CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:
| Pos | Rider | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marc Marquez | 197 |
| 2 | Valentino Rossi | 144 |
| 3 | Jorge Lorenzo | 138 |
When asked if he had enough races left to catch Marquez and win his first MotoGP crown since 2009, Rossi said: "No - because of too many mistakes, being a little bit unlucky and I'm too far [behind].
"And also Marquez this year is not only fast in all of the conditions but he makes always the right choices.
"So it's very difficult to close the 53 points.
"We can be strong and we won't give up to the end, but I think it's very difficult."
Rossi suggested his focus was more on securing second in the points and winning one last intra-team battle with Lorenzo before the Spaniard moves to Ducati in 2017.
"The fight with Lorenzo for second place is very open," he added.
"It is very important to gain these points and stay in front, but at the same time Lorenzo is very strong, very fast.
"So already from Silverstone, he will try to win, so I think we have to try to fight with him to the end."
When Rossi's remarks were relayed to Lorenzo, he said: "I want to be champion.
"I have finished a lot of time in second place, and I'm very proud to stay - in the last seven, eight years - first or second [in the championship] and third in 2014.
"I don't think about the championship, just think about riding at my best and getting the best result I can and then after the race we see the standings and you see how we are.
"I really just think to win as much as possible."
MARQUEZ'S GROWING CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD
After Catalunya GP: 10 points over Lorenzo
After Dutch TT: 24 points over Lorenzo
After German GP: 48 points over Lorenzo
After Austrian GP: 43 points over Lorenzo
After Czech GP: 53 points over Rossi
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